A unique area of opportunity available to collectors of error coins is in
the unsearched bags of "Statehood Commemorative quarters" that the United States
Mint has been selling direct to collectors since the launch of that program in 1999.
Unsearched bags can also be obtained through private dealers. While the vast majority of
odd-size or otherwise misshapen errors, get caught by the Mints inspection and
sorting processes, a few do escape the system into bulk bags of coin. Normally, most of
those "escapees" get caught by privately operated coin wrapping operations
during the process of rolling the coins into the familiar tubes we see in cash drawers.
Those persons, in turn, supply error dealers with most of the new errors that we see
offered each year.

The Mints decision to sell these quarters in bulk, direct to the
collector, means that the valuable error coins that banks and other coin wrapping
operations virtually monopolized upon for decades, are now available to you! While,
Mint-sewn bags of coin have always been available, collectors often had to know the right
person in a bank or have a large enough account to be granted the favor of obtaining a few
of these bags. The alternative was to purchase them from dealers at hefty premiums, which
in the current market must be viewed as "reasonable" since these bags have been
steadily increasing in value. Today, unsearched bags of States quarters can be obtained
directly from the Mint for a modest fee plus shipping charges. Each bag represents an
opportunity of possibly finding a valuable error coin (or more) that could net you
hundreds or even thousands of dollars!

These bags represent a golden opportunity to the collector because the
bulk sales program comes at a time when more errors than ever are being produced,(due
to high coinage output demands on the Mint), and at a time when State quarter errors are,
unquestionably, the most active area in the error coin market.While
it might at first seem that increased supplies of errors would be counterproductive to the
market, the fact is they represent a significant number of diverse error types - some very
rare - that have been well distributed amongst the commemorative designs introduced thus
far, (five State quarter designs are being issued each year for ten years).
Furthermore, each design represents a one-year-of-type or perhaps what, one observer
states, might be better described as a "two-months-of-issue-type," since most of
the designs are struck within 30 to 45 production days or "within two-months."
This virtually guarantees that almost as quickly as the supply of one Statehood design
enters the market, it will end abruptly and the supply of the next issue will begin. Even
more importantly, many error collectors collect by type, i.e., one of each of their
favorites error types on each denomination and design. Thus what at first seems like a
large number will be minuscule when one compares the total mintage on any one of the
States Commemorative quarter designs to that of all dates for the regular issue clad-date
Washington quarters.

In this chapter, we show some of the States quarter error coins that have
been found thus far along with a brief description of how each occurred and an approximate
estimate of what it is worth. It needs to be emphasized that values of error coins can
range greatly depending on the dealer handling them, and the individual characteristics of
the coins. One dealer may place a greater value on a certain error type than another based
solely on his/her preferences or a knowledge that he/she has the clientele to support the
price attached. Furthermore, while there may be many similar errors within a given type,
most errors are one-of-a-kind and prices will be based on each coins individual
characteristics and eye appeal. The prices quoted here, represent estimates given to us by
two of the nations largest error coin dealers, for the specific coins shown.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

Our first coin is a 1999-P New Jersey quarter that is Double Struck with
both strikes Off-Center. The first strike is off-center by about 15% while the second
strike overlaps into the first strike and blank area. The second strike is about 80%
off-center and occurred while the coin was resting on top of another blank. This caused
the reverse to display a stretched out, distorted image of the original strike in that
area or what is referred to in the hobby as "Uniface Reverse." It is valued at
approximately $650 to $700.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

The 1999-P Pennsylvania quarter displays a nice Straight Clip of about 15%
at 11:30 . Straight clips are a form of "Incomplete Planchet" error and occur
when the blank is punched out from either side or the end of the coinage strip. (A
"planchet" is a blank that has been processed to have it's rim raised slightly
and is ready for striking into a coin.) This error is less spectacular than many of the
others shown here, but it appears to be quite rare on this series and is a highly sought
after type. It is valued at approximately $100.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

This spectacular 1999-P Georgia commemorative piece is a dramatic
quadruple strike! The first strike was normal while a succession of three closely
overlapping, off-center strikes battered the coin before it was finally ejected from the
coining chamber. The tripling of the trio of off-center strikes is best viewed on the tops
of UNITED. It is worth approximately $850 to $950.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

The 1999-? New Jersey piece shown here was struck off-center by about 20%
while another coin was resting partially on top creating a huge indented area with an
incuse mirror design of the reverse within. This multiple error coin is known as an
Off-Center with Partial Brockage. The extra thickness of metal from both the coin and the
planchet being struck together caused the planchet to split adding just a bit more eye
appeal to this "mess." This one is worth from about $375 to $550.

coin courtesy of Ken Potter

The 1999-P Pennsylvania quarter shows the image of both the obverse and
reverse on both sides. The ghostly image below the strong image is the result of this coin
having been struck once and then flipping over and reentering the coining press for a
second on-center strike. This one is referred to as Double Struck Flipover In Collar and
is valued at about $700.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

Here is a 1999-P Connecticut quarter that was partially indented by
another struck coin, (apparently another error coin), that fell part way into the dies
during the strike. This is known as a Partial Brockage and worth from about $190 to $250.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

Next we show a 1999-? New Jersey quarter that was Double Struck with Both
Strikes Off-Center. The larger of the two strikes exhibits an area with a flat edge known
as a "Chain Edge," a reference alluding to the "linking" of this coin
to another. This occurs when two non-overlapping planchets enter partially into the
coining chamber in an off center position and are struck simultaneously. Under the
pressure of the strike, the metal from both planchets begins to flow in all directions
including toward each other. When the metal flowing from both planchets meets, resistance
is created and the flow of metal is redirected resulting in the chain edge effect seen on
a small percentage of off centers and double strikes. This one is worth from about $550 to
$650 "as is" but would be worth about $850 if it was scratch-free.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

Here we show yet another 1999-? New Jersey quarter. This one was struck
with Filled Dies. In this case the dies were clogged with grease or other contaminants
thus preventing the dies from imparting complete designs to the blank. This error type is
easily confused with a Weak Strike but an examination of the edge of the coin shows that
it has fully struck reeding that could have occurred only if the coin was struck with
normal pressure. This one is valued from $40 to $300.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

To illustrate this point further, our next coin is a Weak
Strike on a (2000)-? Massachusetts quarter. Notice that not only is the area of design
detail on the obverse (Washington side) and reverse extremely weak but the reeding on the
edge is non-existent. This one is worth about $400 to $450.

coin courtesy of Ken Potter

coin courtesy of Chuck Avery

An odd-ball that has been appearing in increasing frequency is the
"Clad Layer Missing Before Strike" error. It is represented by the 1999-P
Georgia and 1999-D Delaware quarters with a "copper obverse" and "copper
reverse," respectively. This error occurs when a blank sheds one of its outer
copper-nickel "clad" layers before it is struck. When struck, the side missing
the outer layer will be copper while the flip side will be of the normal copper-nickel
(silvery) appearance. A clad layer may split off if it is improperly bonded due to
contaminants or oxides being trapped between the layers during the bonding process. This
error type is worth about $250 to $300 in uncirculated condition. Many of these have
been reported on all the State designs as being found in circulation or fresh out of new
rolls. They are worth less if circulated. (Note: The yellowish cast seen
on the obverse of the Georgia quarter and the reverse of the Delaware quarter are due to
the scanning process. They are actually of the normal clad "silvery"
appearance.)

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

This 1999-P Connecticut quarter displays two large curved clips. The The
term "clip" is a misnomer that errorists tend to accept in describing a general
class of planchet error that originates with a blank that was produced with an incomplete
area of metal at its edge. The curved clip occurs when a blank is punched from out of an
area of strip that overlaps a hole (or holes) from where a blank was previously punched
out.

Envision using a cookie cutter to "punch" out a cookie from an
area of the rolled out dough that overlaps into an area from where cookies were previously
cut out. In this case the blank was punched out from are area overlapping two holes. It is
valued at about $125.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

Our next coin is a 2000-D Massachusetts quarter that was struck Off-Center
on a blank with Double Curved Clips. In this case, the clips probably caused the blank to
misfeed, causing this spectacular multiple error type. It is valued at approximately $350
but would be worth over $500 if scratch free.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

This 1999-D New Jersey quarter exhibits a "Corner Clip" or what
some refer to as an "Assay Clip." This is the result of a piece of metal being
snipped from the coinage strip, (in the proximity of where the blank was later punched),
for testing. The test may be for assay or to check metal hardness or ductility. This is an
extremely rare error type with this one boasting a value ranging from about $400 to $650.
This error type is so rare it is difficult to price.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

This States quarter is Double Struck with a Brockaged reverse. The
brockage is from the obverse of another coin being impressed into this coin during the
strike. This prevents us from determining which of the States quarter designs it
represents. The date and Mint mark are also unknown due to the orientation of the strikes.
Still, the error is so dramatic that it would fetch anywhere from about $550 to $850 in
the open market.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

This 2000-D Massachusetts quarter was struck Off-center by about 10% to
12%. An off-center strike occurs when a planchet fails to enter the striking chamber in a
centered position. While it is not as major as some of the other striking errors featured
here, it is still a very desirable coin with an affordable value of about $125 to $200.

coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg

In sharp contrast to our 10% off-center featured previously, this States
quarter of unknown date and type, was struck about 95% Off-Center. Even though, dated
pieces struck in the 40% to 60% range are the most desirable to collectors, this one would
still command a respectable $100 to $150 if sold to a collector. It would be worth $200
plus if the State could be determined.

coin courtesy of Frank LaBosco

coin courtesy of Jack Martin

So far everything weve looked at has involved an error in the
striking of the coin or preparation of the blank. However, errors and varieties can occur
to the dies. While recent innovations within the Mint have largely eliminated the
possibility of the popular Doubled Dies and Repunched Mint Mark varieties from occurring,
minor die variations, (often erroneously referred to as "minor errors)," such as
die chips and/or die breaks, die cracks, missing designs due to die-wear and/or abrasion,
doubling due to die-deterioration, etc., still occur and are considered collectable
by some segments of the hobby. Shown here is a 1999-P Pennsylvania quarter with a large
die break between the U and E of VIRTUE. It was found by Frank LaBosco in March of 1999.
Also shown is a 1999-P Delaware quarter with die breaks between the A and R of CAESAR and
within the lower N of RODNEY. It was found by Jack Martin in March of 1999. Items like
those shown have been selling for about $2 while die cracks, missing designs, die
deterioration doubling, etc., normally sell for considerably less (depending on the State
involved).

Last but not least are the "Rotated Die Errors." This error type
involves the instillation of one of the dies into a press in the wrong rotational
allignment, or for one of the dies to break loose from its fixed position, allowing it to
rotate within the die holder. Normally, the dies for United States coins will be set into
the press with their designs opposite each other; shifted toward opposite poles. This will
result in a struck coin that will show the obverse right side up while the reverse is
up-side-down. This is normal and referred to as "coin alignment." However, on
rare occasions, one of the dies is set so that it strikes coins in an orientation other
than "coin alignment." This can result in a coin that if held with its obverse
upright, will display the reverse at any alignment other than the proper 180o
"coin alignment." The most desirable error of this type is one that shows a 180o
misalignment, which of course results in a coin with no rotational differentiation between
the obverse and reverse (or what is referred to as "medal alignment" since most
commemorative medals, military medals, and tokens are struck in this manner).

To date, at least five different of the States quarter designs have been
found with significant "Rotated Die" errors. Any rotational misalignment of over
15% is considered significant.

The values of rotated die errors are partially based on the severity of
rotation and rarity. Average prices for 45 degree to 180 degree rotations range widely
from from dealer to dealer at about $45 to $450.

There are many more error and variety types that we are unable to
elaborate upon within the scope of this article. However, if this article has wet your
appetite for errors and youd like to learn more about them and the clubs and books
dedicated to their study, you may contact me at my email address listed below or with a
long self addressed envelope and 99c postage and Ill send you all you need to get
started. Request the "Error Coin Starter Kit."

Persons interested in getting on the U.S. Mints mailing list to
purchase Mint-sewn bags (or other Mint products) may call: 1-800-USA-MINT or log onto the
internet at: www.usmint.gov.

Recommended reading: The Error Coin Encyclopedia III by Arnold
Margolis and Fred Weinberg. This new book contains a special section on Statehood
quarter errors.

Ken Potter is the official attributer and lister of world
doubled dies for the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America
and for the National Collectors Association of Die Doubling. He privately lists
U.S. doubled dies and other collectable variety types on both U.S. and world coins in the Variety
Coin Register. For more information on either of the clubs, or on how to get a
variety listed in the Variety Coin Register, send a self addressed stamped long
envelope to Ken Potter, P.O. Box 760232, Lathrup Village, MI 48076-0232 or log on to his
website and go to the "Favorite Places" or the "How to Get A Variety
Listed" page. He may be contacted via e-mail at:KPotter256@aol.com. An
Educational Image Gallery may be accessed on his website at: www.uscents.com/potter/